Story by Cat Badra

‘Brass Monkey’ Boys have their 1986 tour captured on a shoe

Such was the power of the Beastie Boys that from the onset of 1986’s Licensed to Ill everybody, from fans to skeptics, couldn’t help but give in to the kooky guys’ wise-cracking videos and lo-fi, alt-rock, hip-hop groove. Now, fans can immortalize the Boys with a limited edition Converse sneaker campaign via eBay. The black-and-white tennis shoes showcase personality-packed frontispieces from never-before-seen photos taken on the band’s famed 1986 Licensed to Ill Tour, shot by Sunny Bak. The shoes, more than anything, captures the ultimate collection of witty Beastie antics on — what better? — a pair of rocking sneakers.

If you’re wondering, the Beastie Boys have no role in the design or launch of these shoes, and either does Converse. Sunny Bak had these shoes printed, using photos to which she owns the rights, as fashion art pieces.

Now, the real question: How much will the twins cost? The answer is around $200, with 10% of each purchase benefiting Prop 8 Films, who craft “socially conscious” documentary films. For those who love the idea but don’t want the shoes, the exclusive photos are also be available at Hold Up Art in Los Angeles and can be ordered at their website.

The Boys’ current album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, dropped earlier this year, and Beastie Boy Mike Diamond (a.k.a. Mike D) recently told Rolling Stone it was a spontaneous recording process. “We’re not good at making plans,” he said. “But we do talk about ideas.” Their goals for the album were vocals, shorter tracks and “within any three-minute song, be willing to have it go six or seven different places before it ends.”

In other Beastie Boys news, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz recently arrived on the set of Top Chef: Just Desserts to test the chefs’ abilities to integrate savory ingredients into sugary treats. The eight contenders were asked to choose two ingredients out of the Top Chef: Just Desserts Beastie Boys Pantry, which was filled with food cited in Beastie Boys songs, such as “Brass Monkey” and “Hold It Now, Hit It.” The contestants had to use the unlikely ingredients to create desserts to be devoured at a street art exhibit, which sounds like wild plot purpose-made for a Beastie.